Tinubu Govt Manipulating Project Data to Mask Nepotism, Says ADC

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of falsifying infrastructure reports in order to deflect criticism over nepotism and regional bias.

In a statement issued on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC described the recently published government report on infrastructure progress as misleading and politically motivated.

The report, titled “Infrastructure Equity for Every Region. Progress for Every Nigerian. The Renewed Hope Agenda in Action,” was presented by the government as a show of accountability. But according to the ADC, it is nothing more than “a panicked propaganda tool” designed to manage public backlash.

“Unfortunately for the administration, in a desperate attempt to defend its record, it ended up exposing itself with manipulated evidence,” Abdullahi said.

The party alleged that several projects were deliberately misclassified by region. Among them were the Damaturu–Maiduguri and Bama–Dikwa roads in Borno State, which are located in the North-East but were listed under the North-West, as well as the Lokoja–Okene dualisation in Kogi State and the Benue–9th Mile road, both of which belong to the North-Central zone.

“We know that budgets have allegedly been padded by this administration, but this is the first time we are seeing infographics padded with such brazen creativity,” the statement added.

The ADC also claimed that some projects were counted twice under different regions, while others initiated under the Buhari administration were repackaged as Tinubu’s achievements.

“At a time when our nation needs equity and unity more than ever, this government seems committed to deepening the divisions that already exist,” Abdullahi said.

The party further faulted the lack of transparency in high-profile contracts, including the Badagry–Sokoto highway, alleging that many were awarded to political allies and financiers in violation of the Procurement Act.

“The government must answer these questions and release full reports on the award and implementation of these projects if it wants to be taken seriously,” the statement noted.

It also linked the report to a broader pattern of selective disclosure, recalling earlier allegations of nepotism in appointments where the presidency released a list of names without portfolios.

“No amount of propaganda or PowerPoint presentations can replace genuine inclusion, fairness, and transparency,” Abdullahi stressed.

The ADC urged the Tinubu government to abandon what it called “dishonest politics of propaganda” and ensure equitable distribution of opportunities and resources across the country.